9:00-10:30 Plenary: Voices from the Gulf (Grand Ballroom)
The BP Horizon disaster is just the latest in a history of environmental impacts, including thousands of miles of oil and gas pipelines and canals that slice through coastal wetlands, introducing damaging levels of saltwater and hastening the erosion of this sediment starved landscape. This Panel featured community leaders, representatives of environmental NGO’s and scientists working in the Gulf of Mexico to ensure “restoration” of coastal communities, wetlands and marine resources in the wake of the BP Disaster.
PANELISTS: Casi Callaway (Mobile Baykeeper), Dr. William E. Hawkins (University of Southern Mississippi Gulf Coast Research Laboratory), Chris Dorsett (Ocean Conservancy), Father Vien Nguyen (Catholic priest and progressive social activist in the Vietnamese community, New Orleans)
MODERATOR & ORGANIZER: Cynthia Sarthou (Gulf Restoration Network)

PANEL: Advancing the issue of ocean acidification: beyond climate and energy policy reform (Room 307)
Given recent setbacks in climate and energy policy reform, many people are wondering what we can do to address the issue of ocean acidification. This panel offered a range of perspectives on next steps in ocean acidification science and advocacy and include discussion on the FOARM Act, local actions, public perceptions on ocean acidification, and stakeholder engagement.
PANELISTS: Ned Cyr (NOAA), Melissa Foley (Center for Ocean Solutions), Lisa Dropkin (Edge Research), Brad Warren (Sustainable Fisheries Partnership), Dwight Gledhill (NOAA)
MODERATOR & Organizer: Lisa Suatoni (NRDC)

PANEL: Oceans of Faith – Religious Leadership and the Ocean (Room 308) CANCELLED
Four religious leaders from diverse communities will share stories of their leadership linking their religious and spiritual beliefs, their faith communities, and the ocean. The diversity of the presenters will offer participants the opportunity to see the many ways in which religious groups can become important allies for the ocean.
PANELISTS: Sister Suzanne Golas (WaterSpirit), Rev. Richard Young (Greater First Baptist Church of Escatawpa, LA), Mati Waiya (Wishtoyo Foundation and Ventura Waterkeeper)
MODERATOR & Organizer: Rev. Fletcher Harper (Green Faith) Top

2:30-4:00 Plenary: The BP Oil Disaster and the Gulf’s Recovery (Grand Ballroom)
Leading federal authorities and a member of the federal BP Commission spoke about their ongoing efforts to address the ecological and social impacts of the largest environmental disaster to hit the U.S. coastline in a region that was not yet recovered from Hurricane Katrina less than five years earlier.
Panelists: Dr. Jane Lubchenco (NOAA), Admiral Thad Allen (USCG, Ret.), Terry Garcia (National Geographic Society), Dr. Donald Boesch (University of Maryland)
Moderator: Jeff Young
Organizer: David Helvarg (Blue Frontier Campaign)

4:15-5:30 WORKSHOPS & PANELSWorkshop: Promoting Ocean & Coastal Restoration (Room 307)
As we navigate declining budgets and political partisanship, what are the options available to the conservation community to continue making progress with efforts to restore critically important ocean and coastal ecosystems? This session explored this question using a workshop format that encouraged dialogue between a panel of practitioners and, between the panelists, the moderator, and the audience. Each panelist had 5-8 minutes for a brief overview of their topic, followed by a 30-minute discussion among the panelists led by the moderator. Last 30 minutes incorporated Q & A from audience.
PANELISTS: Tim Dillingham (American Littoral Society), Dr. Stephen Crooks (ESA PWA, Ltd), Teresa Christopher (CEQ), Emily Pidgeon (Conservation International)
Moderator: Sean Cosgrove (CLF)
Organizer: Jeff Benoit (Restore American’s Estuaries)

PANEL: Ocean Energy – Turning the tide for power & the environment (Room 308)
Developing renewable energy facilities in the marine environment has proven to be a challenge. Concerns exist on many fronts, including impacts to the environment, viewsheds, property values, and quality of life. This panel explored the experience of those in the renewable energy industry and how they are attempting to address concerns and looking for support from the environmental community.
PANELISTS: Captain Jim McPherson (US Coast Guard), Sean O’Neill (Ocean Renewable Energy Coalition), Fara Courtney (US Offshore Wind Collaborative), Pete Stauffer (Surfrider Foundation), John Ferland (OCEAN RENEWABLE POWER COMPANY), and Carolyn Elefant (OREC)
MODERATOR & Organizer: Anna Zivian (Ocean Conservancy)